US2776443A - Water skiing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 8, 1957 Filed June 15, 1953 L. A. HOWARD 2,776,443

WATER SKIING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet l 4 s 5 IN V EN TOR. 4404 .5 yawn/w Jan. 8, 1957 L. A. HOWARD 2,775,443

WATER SKIING APPARATUS Filed June 15, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 14044 1? 4 l/4/V4gp Jan. 8, 1957 L. A. HOWARD 2,775,443

WATER SKIING APPARATUS Filed June 15, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 7 I IN VEN TOR.

L J Lid/5 E 4. f/0W4RD L. A. HOWARD WATER SKIING APPARATUS Jan. 8, 1957 Filed June 15, 1953 404 loo I jfk 7| I06 78 |O2 63 #9.

6 0 I v i 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

lAV/Ff/i/ 4/10 4/? Jan. 8, 1957 L. A. HOWARD 2,776,443

WATER SKIING APPARATUS Filed June 15, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 BMW many times during a run.

United States Patent WATER SKIING APPARATUS Lauren A. Howard, Amherst, N. H.

Application June 15, 1953, Serial No. 361,565

8 Claims. (Cl. 9-18) This invention relates to power driven watercraft and more particularly to a catamaran propelled by an outboard motor which is remotely controlled.

Water skiing has become an increasing popular sport in recent years, but, prior to this invention, water ski propulsion was provided by power boats of the inboard and outboard type or even by aircraft. The skier grasped a handle at the end of a tow rope connected to the towing craft and as the tow craft moved forward is supplied the momentum necessary to support the weight of the skier on the surface of the water. The skier had no control over the towing craft, other than by shouts and gestures to a second person in the two craft who directed its course and controlledits speed. Motor noise made this form of communication difficult and unsatisfactory.

.Also, when the skier lost his balance, he was forced to swim until the tow craft circled and came close enough for remounting, an exhausting procedure if it occurred Additionally, the skier had the task of collectinghis skis prior to remounting which under some circumstances proved difficult and hardly added enjoyment to the sport.

The present invention provides a solution to many of the problems of water skiing noted above and others which have heretofore restricted this sport to those having more than average means. Equipment, using lower powered motors made possible by the reduction in drag through the elimination of body weight in the towing craft, is particularly desirable. Power boats are bulky and difiicult to transport and are quite expensive to operate. Outboard motor boats. are clumsy and normally diflicult to transport as well.

A one man water ski outfit, having all the attributes of a large towing craft, allows the skier freedom of action, sensitivity of control over the towing craft, and quicker and easier remounts in deep water. An outfit of this type, that is sturdy; possessing the qualities of rugged fast boats, and, in addition, is easily transportable, economically maintained and safely operated is a primary object of this invention.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a light, compact, collapsible, easy to manage mobile watercraft powered by an outboard motor which affords healthy, safe water skiing.

A further object is to provide a watercraft of the above character which will be neat and attractive in ap pearance and yet be of such sturdy construction as to withstand hard usage.

Still another object is to provide a watercraft of the above character which will dispense with the requirement of a second man to steer the tow craft, eliminating drag and increasing power and speed.

Yet another object is to provide a watercraft of the above character having means to control the motor and direction of the craft from a position aft of the craft proper.

Another object is to provide a watercraft of the above elements when the watercraft is in operation.

2,776,443 Patented Jan. 8, 1957 "ice character having buoyant controlling means aft of the craft proper adapted automatically to idle the power unit in the event of a mishap to the skier.

Yet another object is to provide remote controlling means aft of a watercraft adapted for use with any type of towing craft.

Another object is to provide a watercraft of the above character including remote controlling means for said craft and means to keep the water skis availablein the event of an upset.

Still another objectis to provide a device of the above character which may be economically manufactured from inexpensive materials.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The-invention, accordingly, consists in thefeatures of Fig. 1 is a side view of the assembled watercraft and remote control unit;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the assembled watercraft and remote control unit;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the watercraft in part;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View along line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the remote control plate;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the remote control. plate;

Fig. 7 is a side view of the motorhousing and atntiliary fuel tank;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the remote control plate, control cables, and motor in operative position;

Fig. 9 is a side view of a modification of the remote control plate, partly in section;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the control ringshown in Fig. 9; i

Fig. 11 is a sectional view along line 11-11 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view along line 12-12 of Fig. 2; Fig. 13 is a plan view ofa section of the towing cable; Fig. 14 is a sectional view along line 14-14 of Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is a plan view, sectional 'in part, of a modification of unit shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 16 is a side view, sectional in part of a modification shown in Fig. 15;

t Fig. 17 is an aft end view of unit shown in Fig. 15;

Fig. 18 is a side-end view of a modification of control plate ring shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 19 is a plan view of control plate shown in Fig. 18; and

Fig. 20 is a side view of the remote control unit showing the skis of thefwater skier attached thereto.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

. Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the watercraft comprises parallel pontoons 10 and 11 connected by a bridging spar 12 providing a catamaran. An outboard motor 14 is secured'to the bridging spar 12 by means which will be described hereinafter in detail and forward of the motor 14 is a combination gas reservoir and motor housing 15 which effectively protects the motor from the Trailing aft of the motor 14 is a cable 16 at the end of which remote control means are housed within a buoyant unit 17.

Pontoons 10 and 11, identical in every respect, comprise skis 18, constructed of any suitable material, such as wood or aluminum, which will incorporate rigidity with some flexibility and are capable of withstanding heavy vibration. The forward curved tips 19 of skis 18 and their trailing ends 20 are provided with metal hous- ,9 ings 21 and 21 respectively, such as aluminum, which may extend inwardly for a distance of approximately one foot. Housings 21 and 21, rigidly secured to the skis 18 as by rivets add to the structural strength of the skis and also act as shields. The housings 21 which cover the trailing ends of the skis 18 are provided with several small holes 22 at a point near the juncture of the skis and the housings for a purpose which will be hereinafter described. Water skis usually are constructed with slight V-shaped bottoms which appreciably decrease their lateral movement. It is within the concept of this invention that skis 18 may be of this type or have means similar to a keel in the form of a longitudinal strip on their bottom surfaces.

Near the middle of each ski 18 is an upright square, hollow metal support 23 (see Figs. 3 and 4) whose base extends rearwardly and forwardly for greater structural strength. Arched bridging spar 12 is secured as by bolts 24 to the fiat top of each support 23, rigidly joining pon toons and 11 into a single unit such as a catamaran. Within housings 21 and 21' and extending through hollow support 23 on each ski is a removable, longitudinal, inflatable tube 25 having a valved inlet 26, similar to the type commonly used on inner tubes of vehicular tires. Longitudinal tubes 25 are preferably made of rubber although plastics and rubber coated canvas have been found suitable. Secured to skis 18, housings 21, 21', and supports 23 is a canvas covering 27 for tubes 25 which effectively hold them in their positions. Zippers 28 and 29 longitudinally disposed at the top of each canvas covering 27 (see Fig. 2) permit easy entry of tubes 25. These zippers are of a type that has been found workable after long periods of immersion in water, both salt and fresh, and have been used successfully on deep sea diving suits and those worn by frogmen. of metal with multiple teeth or interlocking strips of flexible rubber. The small holes 22 piercing the rear housings 21 over the tubes adequately drain these housings of any water which might be cupped therein during the operation of the watercraft.

Centrally disposed on top of spar 12 and secured thereto by rivets or bolts is motor mount 30. It comprises a metal angle whose perpendicular portion 31 is slightly aft of and whose base conforms to the arched bridging spar 12. Spar 12 is arched to provide a cushion for the motor against vibration and the planning action of the water on the water skis. Although aluminum is satisfactory, steel is preferred because of its greater strength and elasticity.

Some outboard motors are heavy, weighing upwards of one hundred pounds; these are normally screw-clamped to the transoms of boats which are reinforced to with stand the additional strain. Motor mount 30, therefore, acts as a transom. Both the motor 14 and the remote control plate 32, whose construction and purpose will be described hereinafter in detail, are screw-clamped to member 31, the control plate 32 surrounding the motor 14 and being attached independently thereof.

Remote control plate 32, preferably cast of metal, shown in Figs. 5 and 6 and in part in Figs. 1, 2 and 8, is clamped to motor mount independently of motor 14 by screw clamps 34. The horizontal plane of plate 32 is underslung from its arched clamping section 35 to permit the free and independent movement of the motor 14. Extending forward of the clamping section 35 of plate 32 and centrally disposed is arm 36 whose foremost tip ends in upright extension 37. Approximately midway between clamping section 35 and upright extension 37 a horizontal arm 38, having vertical wings 39, is adjustably mounted on arm 36. A longitudinal slot 40 through arm 36 cooperating with a bolt 41 and a wing nut 42 provides forward and backward adjustment of horizontal arm 38. To prevent horizontal arm 38 from pivoting about its bolt 41, two downwardly extending lips 43 and 44 project from its lower side engaging the sides of arm 36. On top of the rearwardly extending They may be constructed portion of the control plate 32 is a small raised portion 45 which comprises a Y-shaped tube, unitary with the plate 32 or welded thereto, through which the control cable 16 enters. A ring 46 is welded to the plate directly ahead of tube 45 for a purpose which will be hereinafter described.

The combination gas reservoir and motor housing 15 is remova'bly attached over the forward portion of the motor control plate 32. It comprises a dome-shaped nose 47, shown here attractively streamlined, within which is an auxiliary gas tank 48 and a rearwardly extending shield 49, the top portion 50 of which is hinged as at 51, to give ready access to the controls it shields. Suitable fasteners 59 hold the hinged portion 50 in operative position. Recessed within the top of the nose 47 is a handle 52 for lifting or to which a line may be run for securing purposes and a gas intake 53 provided with a pressure pump cap 54.

The gas tank 48 is provided with an outlet 55 inside the housing 49 at its lowermost part. Outlet 55 is fitted with a cock 56 and a flexible tube 57 connecting the tank 48 to the motor 14; thus, the cock 56 may be manually turned in the event the auxiliary supply of gaso line is needed. As noted above, the motor housing and auxiliary fuel tank 15 are secured to the forward portion of the control plate 32; a bolt 58 extending through the upright member 37 from the inner rearward face of the tank 43 is held thereto by a nut 60. Similarly, the lower rearwardly extending portion of the housing is bolted as at 61 to the arched spar 12.

As previously noted the watercraft is remotely con trolled by a unit 17 connected to the motor propelled towing craft by means of cable 16. Cable 16 comprises a hollow casing 62, preferably of waterproof material such as rubber or plastic, within which are housed five or more control cables and a tow line cable. The tow line cable 63 is made of steel woven wire rope and is ccntrally positioned within the casing 62, the control cables being disposed around it. The tow line cable 63 is secured to the watercraft at its forward end through tube 45 around ring 46. Preferably the tow line cable 63 is extremely flexible but entirely lacking in elasticity. The trailing end of tow line cable 63 passes through the front half of unit 17 where it is clamped by means of a collar and set screw 64; it terminates on the inside of the face of the rear half of unit 17, looping ring 65 and being fastened thereto by wire rope clamp 66.

The control cables are preferably of the type commonly called Bowden wire cables: wires that are sheathed in wire casings. These control cables are contained within casing 62 along with tow line cable 63. Referring now to Fig. 8, it will be seen that the forward ends of the control cables pass through tube 45 on the control plate 32, circumferentially around the motor 14 to wings 39, upright extension 37 and back to the motor. Each control cable has a specific function. in Figures ll and 12, it will be seen that the trailing ends of the control cables pass through the unit 17 and terminate on controlling members which operate them.

The entire operation of the watercraft is controlled by buoyant unit 17 which trails aft of the craft. The unit 17, generally rectangular in form, comprises two sections; the forward half 67 which contains means tL make the unit buoyant and the rear half 68 within and on which the controlling means are positioned. The two sections divided by wall 70 may be separated longitudinally for access therein but are normally fastened together in close relationship. Section 67 of unit 17 contains two pneumatic tubes 71 and 72 fitted with valves 73 and 74, respectively. Pneumatic tubes 7] and 72 may be made of rubber or air tight rubber impregnated canvas and are of sufficient size when inflated to support the weight not only of the unit 17 in water but also a fallen skier should the occasion arise. As the unit may be opened longitudinally, the tubes may be removed in the event repair or replacement is necessary. A tube green is having its rearward end flanged as at 76, passes through wall 70, section 67 and the forward end of section 67; it contains the control cables, the tow line cable 63 and their casing. 62, separating thesecables from the pneumatic tubes 71 and 72. Rings 77 and 78 are secured to the tube 75 inside and outside of section 67 to prevent its lateral displacement.

The rear section 68 of unit 17 contains the means to operate the control cables. On the outer face of section 68 arehorizontally disposed ring handles '80 and 81. Between and above handles fill and 81 is Tsbaped handle 33 which is clearly shown in Figure 12. Ring handle rotates at its juncture with the casing of section 68 and operates the steering cables whose detailed operation will follow.

Within section 68 two drums 84 and 85 are rigidly secured to the inner shaft 86 of handle 30. Double pulley 87 is secured as by welding to the inside of section 68 at a point radial from the axis of drums 84 and 85.

Steering cables 88 and 90 are operated by the movement of handle 80.

Referring now to Figures 5, 6, 8, 11 and 12, the operation of steering cables 88 and 99 will be traced;

Cables 88 and 9d are divided left and right at Y-shaped tube 35 on the control plate 32 and continue around the motor 14. They pass around the plate 32 through a series of multiple pulleys 91 secured to the plate 32, through multiple pulleys 92 and 9 3 secured to the upper insides of wings 39 and, through multiple pulley 94 secured to the inside of upright extension 37. Steering cable 843, which has passed around the right side of motor 14 through pulleys 93 and 94, doubles back through pulley 93 and on to the steering arm 95 of motor 14 through a suitable tightener 96; steering cable 90, which has passed around the left side of motor 14 through pulleys 92 and 94, doubles back through pulley 92 and on to steering arm 97 of motor 14 through tightener 98. The other ends of cables 88 and 90 pass through casing 62 and enter unit 17 through tube 75; they then pass through double pulley 37 and around drums 84 and 85. is turned cables 88 and 90 move in opposite directions and move the motor 14 to turn in the direction urged. Turning of the motor 14 turns the direction of the Watercraft through the change in direction of the thrust of its propeller 99.

Ring handle 31 is fastened securely to the casing of section 138. Within the circle of handle 81 are two reciprocating spring-loaded levers 100 and 101, which are connected to the clutch and throttle cables, 102 and 103 respectively. gers 1044 suitable for finger operation. Springs 105 and 106 keep levers 100 and 191 in a normal depressed position for a purpose hereinafter disclosed.

Cables 102 and 103 are connected to the throttle and clutch of motor 14 at 107. From these connections they pass forward through pulleys 94, 92 and 91, through tube 4:? and casing 62, through tube .75 within unit 17 and are joined to levers 100 and 101. By having levers 10b and 101 spring-loaded thesecontrols always tend to return to a neutral position. Therefore they act as dead man controls in the event the water skier should release the unit 17 or lose his balance.

Handle 83, shown in Figure 12, has its shaft slidably inserted within sleeve 82 which is firmly attached to the casing of section 68, and is connected to starting cable 108. Cable 1% passes'through tube 75; through casing 2 and tube 45, and through pulleys 91, 92 and 94. At

pulley 94 cable 108 is inserted through a coiled spring 1&9, which extends from the starting handle of the motor14 to the upright extension 37, and is attached to handle 110 by means of a hook ring 111. When handle 81 of the unit 17 is pulled, this force is transmitted through cable 108 to thehandle 110. Spring 109 tends to return starting handle 110 back to its original it will therefore be seen that when handle 80 Levers 190 and llllare provided with trig- 6 position into alignment with the opening in the motor housing after it has been extended.

On the lower rear outside of section 68 are two small metal rings 112 and 113. Light cables 11 4 and are secured to these rings and extend, with sufficient slack, to the tips of the skis S of the water skier (notshow'n). The purpose of cables 114 and 115 is to keep the skis together in case of an upset.

A modification of remote control plate 32 is shown in Figures 9 and 10. An oval ring 16, preferably cast of metal, is formed with an aperture having a diameter sufficient to allow the largest outboard motor to be contained there within. Clamping screws 117 and 118 cooperate with rigid pendant jaws 119 to removably secure the ring 116 to motor mount 30 or the transom. of a boat. The trailing end of ring 116 is provided with a tube 120 and a ring 121 similar to tube 45 and ring 46 on remote control plate 32. The forward end of ring 116 is key slotted as at 122. Upright arm 123, adjustably bolted to ring 116 by means of a bolt and wing nut 124 through slot 112, serves the same function as arm 37 on control plate 32. Wings 125 and 126 are also secured adjustably to ring 116 by bolts and wing nuts 127 through slot 122 and serve the same function as wings 39 on control plate 32. Multiple pulleys 128 serve the same purpose as pulleys 91 on plate 32. This modification of remote control plate 32 permits simple adjustment of control carrying wings and upright arm for various sizes of outboard motors.

Referring now to Figures l5, l6 and 17, a modification of control unit 17 is generally indicated at 129. It comprises a hollow metal casing 130, shown here in a rectangular form, internally divided into two sections, 131 and 132, fore and aft, by wall 133. The forward section 131 houses inflatable tubes 134 similar to tubes 71 and 72 in unit 17; the after section 132 houses the levers for controlling the motor as well as the steering and motor starting devices. Centrally disposed, longitudinally therethrough, from wall 133 to the forward end of section 131 is a tube 135 having a widely flaring mouth 136 within section 132 and fastening means such as a collar 13? to secure its forward end; it contains the control cables preventing entanglement of these with the inflatable tubes 134.

Horizontally through section 132 and rigidly attached to its walls as by welding, is shaft 138. Two half-wheel handles, 139 and 140, are attached to shaft 138; handle 140 is rigidly secured whereas handle 139 rotates freely on shaft 138 through radial slot 141 out in the rearward wall of the casing of the unit. Multiple drums 142 rotate with handle 139 on shaft 138; pins 143 and 144 prevent their lateral movement.

As in unit 17 tow line cable 63 passes through tube 135 and is clamped within the flared mouth 136 and terminally secured at 145. Steering cables 88 and 90 pass through tube 135 and loop around drums 142. Clutch and throttle cables 102 and 103, pass through tube 135 and through the unit casing of section 132 and terminate in rings 146 and 147 under handle 140. As in unit 17 cables 192 and 103 are spring-loaded as at 148 and 149 and tend to return to a position close to the outer side of the casing of 132. A T-shaped, motor-starting handle 150, identical in form and operation to handle 83, is disposed on the outer side of the exterior of section 132 and is connected to starting cable 108. It is understood that levers or triggers sliding within suitable bearings might be substituted for rings 146 and 147.

The operation of this modification is as simple as unit 17. The skier can control the speed of motor 14 by manipulating rings 146 and 147 while grasping handle 140. The steering of the watercraft is easily made by merely raising and lowering handle 139 which in turn alternately shortens or loosens cables 88 and 90. Should the unit be dropped by the skier the motor Willidle due cables 102 and 103.

A further modification of control plate 32 is shown in Figures 18 and 19. A control plate ring 151 is similar in every respect to ring 116 excepting the securing means 117, 118 and 119. In this showing the plate is on a horizontal plane slightly lower than its pendants 152 and 153. These pendants are slotted as at 154 and 155 so that the clamping screws of the motor transom clamp can be placed therethrough. it is apparent therefore that the control ring 151 is rigidly secured when the motor is clamped to the motor mount or boat transom.

Remote control units of this type including sheathed control cables may be satisfactorily used with other types of towing water and land craft. The unit may be easily adapted to outboard and inboard boats of any type thereby obviating the necessity of having an additional man within the towing unit and giving full control to the rson being towed. Motor driven land ci .uc'n as tractors and the like, may be controlled from a remote position at the end of a towing line; such units would be entirely feasible to tow skiers over snow covered ground doing away with many of the unpleasant features of this sport.

Thus, I have provided a motor propelled watercraft capable of being controlled by a unit attached to the craft by means of a combined towing and control carrying cable. It is simple to operate and easy to dismount for transportation.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and, as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinabove set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawing. is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

l. Water skiing apparatus comprising a motor propelled watercraft including motor controlling means and watercraft steering means, a control plate, means for connecting said control plate to said watercraft adjacent said motor, a control unit for said motor and watercraft, a towing cable secured between said watercraft and said control unit for towing said control unit astern of said watercraft, means carried by said control unit for towing a water skier, control elements carried by said control unit for operation by said water skier remoteiy of said watercraft and cables connected between said control elements and said control plate for communicating operations of said water skier to said motor controlling means and said watercraft steering means.

2. Water skiing apparatus comprising a motor propelled watercraft including motor controlling means and watercraft steering means, a control plate, means for connecting said control plate to said watercraft adjacent said motor, a control unit for said motor and watercraft. buoyant means secured to said control unit whereby to float said control unit, a towing cable secured between said watercraft and said control unit for towing said con trol unit astern of said watercraft, means carried by said control unit for towing a water skier, control elements carried by said control unit for operation by said water skier remotely of said watercraft and cables connected between said control elements and said control plate for communicating operations of said water skier to said motor controlling means and said watercraft steering means.

3. Water skiing apparatus comprising a motor propelled watercraft including motor controlling means and watercraft steering means, a control plate, means for connecting said control plate to said watercraft adjacent said motor, a control unit for said motor and watercraft, bouyant means secured to said control unit whereby to float said control unit, a towing cable secured between said watercraft and said control unit for towing said control unit astern of said watercraft, means carried by said control unit for towing a water skier, means for securing the skis of said water skier to said control unit, control elements carried by said control unit for operation by said water skier remotely of said watercraft and cables connected between said control elements and said control plate for communicating operations of said water skier to said motor controlling means and said watercraft steering means.

4. Water skiing apparatus comprising a motor pro pelled watercraft including motor controlling means and Watercraft steering means, a control plate, means for connecting said control plate to said watercraft adjacent said motor, a control unit for said motor and watercraft, a towing cable secured between said watercraft and said control unit for towing said control unit astern of said watercraft, means carried by said control unit for towing a water skier, control elements carried by said control unit for operation by said water skier remotely of said watercraft, cables connected between said control elements and said control plate for communicating operations of said water skier to said motor controlling means and said watercraft steering means, and motor clutch disengaging and throttling idling means included in said motor controlling means and operating means therefor whereby to idle said motor in the absence of operation by said water skier.

5. Water skiing apparatus comprising a motor propelled watercraft including motor controlling means and watercraft steering means, a control unit for said motor and watercraft, a towing cable secured between said watercraft and said control unit for towing said control unit astern of said watercraft, means carried by said control unit for towing a water skier, control elements carried by said control unit for operation by said water skier remotely of said watercraft and cables connected between said control elements and said motor and watercraft for communicating operations of said water skier to said motor controlling means and said watercraft steering means.

6. Water skiing apparatus comprising a motor propelled watercraft including motor controlling means and watercraft steering means, a control unit for said motor and watercraft, buoyant means secured to said control unit whereby to float said control unit, a towing cable secured between said watercraft and said control unit for towing said control unit astern of said watercraft, means carried by said control unit for towing a water skier, control elements carried by said control unit for operation by said water skier remotely of said watercraft and cables connected between said control elements and said motor and watercraft for communicating opera tions of said water skier to said motor controlling means and said watercraft steering means.

7. Water skiing apparatus comprising a motor propelled watercraft including motor controlling means and watercraft steering means, a control unit for said motor and watercraft, buoyant means secured to said control unit whereby to float said control unit, a towing cable secured between said watercraft and said control unit for towing said control unit astern of said Watercraft, means carried by said control unit for towing a water skier, means for securing the skis of said water skier to said control unit, control elements carried by said control unit for operation by said water skier remotely of said watercraft and cables connected between said control elements and said motor and watercraft for communicating operations of said water skier to said motor controlling means and said watercraft steering means.

8. Water skiing apparatus comprising a motor propelled watercraft including motor controlling means and watercraft steering means, a control unit for said motor and watercraft, a towing cable secured between said watercraft and said control unit for towing said control unit astern of said watercraft, means carried by said control unit for towing a water skier, control elements carried by said control unit for operation by said water skier remotely of said watercraft, cables connected between said control elements and said motor and watercraft for communicating operations of said water skier to said motor controlling means and said watercraft steering means, and motor clutch disengaging and throttle idling means included in said motor controlling means and operating means therefor whereby to idle said motor in the absence of operation by said water skier.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 Tobener Oct. 4, 1932 Troisi Sept. 7, 1937 Irgens Nov. 29, 1938 Steele Oct. 19, 1948 Lundborg July 10, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain May 7, 1952 Germany Apr. 23, 1930 France Feb. 12, 1929 France Jan. 10, 1951

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